This is in a three year old high end condo built by a very reputable bulder in Toronto.
Two questions - Why would someone need the outlet inside the cabinet? What would they plug in?
Isn't it against code to have receptacles inside cabinets?
Electrical Outlet Inside Bathroom Sink Cabinet
- Thread starter George7941
- Start date
This is in a three year old high end condo built by a very reputable bulder in Toronto.
Two questions - Why would someone need the outlet inside the cabinet? What would they plug in?
Isn't it against code to have receptacles inside cabinets?
Not in the US NEC, but municipalities may be more stringent. Should be a GFCI receptacle, though.
The GFCI could be in the breaker panel.
To answer your other questions, both dishwashers and garbage disposals are being sold with plugs on them.
To my surprise, even the last Lennox heat pump/natural gas furnace was a plug in!
To answer your other questions, both dishwashers and garbage disposals are being sold with plugs on them.
To my surprise, even the last Lennox heat pump/natural gas furnace was a plug in!
If it's switched it may be intended for a future garbage disposal install.
True. Should have said it has to be GFCI-protected.
I think the OP is puzzled because this is a bathroom vanity -- no disposal or dishwasher potential.
Yes, Bathroom Vanity.
This was a builder installed outlet, likely installed in all the apts in this 7 storey building. Not installed by an owner with an unusual requirement for an outlet inside the cabinet.
Last edited:
To me, it looks like that was put in after completion.
An electrician would have made his own hole....not pulled it in through the drain hole.
If that is an outside wall, maybe someone feels like it needs a little heater in the winter.
Otherwise...who knows.
An electrician would have made his own hole....not pulled it in through the drain hole.
If that is an outside wall, maybe someone feels like it needs a little heater in the winter.
Otherwise...who knows.
dnewton3
Staff member
The only thing I can think of is a point-of-use instant water heater; low volume flow (1 fixture) means it could be run on a 20amp circuit.
prep for a future Recircluation pump?
any evidence of a button anywhere, to activate the system?* you know, the kind where instead of just letting the tap run for a minute to get hot water at the tap, you push a button, and it pushes all the cooled water into the cold lines, until a pre determined temp is registered.
these will usually be installed at the fixture Furthest from the water heater.
https://www.nachi.org/hot-water-recirculation-systems.htm
* apparently the newer systems don't need a button to activate, they just regularly monitor the temp, and if it drops too low, turn on until the target temp is reached.
any evidence of a button anywhere, to activate the system?* you know, the kind where instead of just letting the tap run for a minute to get hot water at the tap, you push a button, and it pushes all the cooled water into the cold lines, until a pre determined temp is registered.
these will usually be installed at the fixture Furthest from the water heater.
https://www.nachi.org/hot-water-recirculation-systems.htm
* apparently the newer systems don't need a button to activate, they just regularly monitor the temp, and if it drops too low, turn on until the target temp is reached.
- Joined
- Jul 28, 2024
- Messages
- 1,475
Point of use water heater, a circ pump, Just a convenience outlet? Those would be my thoughts. Is it a home run to the electrical panel on a gfci breaker or load side of a countertop gfci. Why it’s there wouldn’t concern me as much as being gfci protected.
If it was DIY, I'd be surprised that the homeowner used BX cable though.
My customer is the original owner of this condo and he did not put it in, it was put in by the builder.
Modern condos are very well insulated and heated, unlikely anybody needs extra warmth.
This was a show apartment in this building, but I can't think of any reason why a show apartment needs an outlet inside the vanity.
JTK
$100 Site Donor 2025
Makes it a rentable space I suppose.
And clamped the cable down close to the box. This definitely looks like a professional installation.
Good place for a Glade plug-in or an ultrasonic pest repellant.
Could also be the igniter for an on-demand hot water heater but of course would need a gas line too.
Maybe it's NOT GFI and they justified it by being in the cabinet away from "dampness" and is for something weird like a medical device.
Could also be the igniter for an on-demand hot water heater but of course would need a gas line too.
Maybe it's NOT GFI and they justified it by being in the cabinet away from "dampness" and is for something weird like a medical device.
In highrises, the hot and cold risers are almost always just behind the vanity and there is never any waiting for the water to get hot.
No one's considered this?
On a serious note, future recirc pump or aux water heater seem to be possibilities.
On a serious note, future recirc pump or aux water heater seem to be possibilities.
You would sure get a big dose of fragrance when you opened the normally closed door.
Pests are not a problem in high end bulidings. Different story in government involved buildings, they are roach and mice infested.
Maybe it was put there by mistake. It wouldn't be the biggest mistake I've seen in new construction.
Is there a receptical beside the vanity?
Is there a receptical beside the vanity?
In a bathroom? Then it's to power one of those electric bidets.
